Virtual assistance has become an important element of business operation today. What many business owners fail to realize, however, is that virtual help is not a “fix-all” solution that works overnight. Like any branch of business, it takes planning, management, and time to work.

One of the business operations commonly outsourced is search engine optimization (SEO). If you are looking to expand your business online and increase brand awareness that goes beyond computer and phone screens, SEO is the way to go.

An SEO’s role in a company’s expansion is critical - you can’t afford to just hand it over to any person or company that promises to help you.

These important tips when outsourcing your search engine optimization services will help you find the right staff.

Research Extensively Before Settling with a Company or Virtual Staff

This may sound like hard work, but remember that this one-time search will make ripple effects that will influence your company for a long time. If you are eyeing more than just one company, make a list and narrow it down to your top 3 options. Here are some helpful questions to raise when finalizing your list.

How long has the company/VA been in business?

Can the company/VA provide referrals from former clients or proofs of previous work?

Does the company/VA have a specialty or specific niche they focus on?

What rankings or goals has the company/VA achieved from their previous work?

What is the average waiting time for results to show?

Draw Up a Request for Proposal

Outsourcing your SEO does not mean you are washing your hands clean of this part of your company. For your remote staff to help you, you have to draw a clear picture of what it is you want them to work on, or at the very least, expect to see.

Here are some items you can include in the Request for Proposal.

Company Goals (including SEO goals).

Company’s SEO standing.

Competitors with related data regarding SEO.

Request for references.

Detailed Breakdown of Service Cost.

Payment Schedule and Mode.

Contract/Service terms and agreements.

Talking About Analytics

While it is not possible for your SEO staff to instantly provide you with analytics about your work, it is not a reason why you should not discuss it. Setting goals and planning are all good, but you need to lay down the facts on how you will go about achieving these goals and executing these plans. It is also just as important to know what to do with the data you will accumulate through your SEO efforts.

Here are some of the data you should look into.

Number of links acquired.

Number of visitors.

Time spent on your website or web page.

Performance of Content.

Visitors’ Preferred Content.

Request for Content Creation

A large part of SEO is content. In fact, SEO is leaning closer and closer towards content marketing. Does the company include quality content writers who can give your consumers a good read and relevant data? Substance and enjoyment are the two qualities that make web content a magnet for visitors. Make sure that your SEO staff can satisfy both.

Follow-Up Results

Whether you want a report drawn up every week or every month, your staff should provide concrete data on how your efforts are faring.

Some marketers would lure you in with the promise to catapult your company to the top ranks of Google within a month. While this story is good in firing you up to take SEO to the next level, it is not enough to get you through in the long haul, and in SEO, thinking long-term is essential. Therefore, you need to be patient and keen on monitoring results.

The secret to achieving success in outsourcing your SEO, or any branch of your business, is to find the right staff to match your needs. Practice these important tips and see how outsourcing your search engine optimization services are one of the best investments you can make.